"I met Kathy at the Fox. I have wonderful memories of the Fox and of course of her! Met my life long friends there, she always made us feel at home. I am honored I knew her."
In loving memory of
Kathy Kempen
August 7, 1943 - July 26, 2017
Kathy Kempen, age 73, of Ames, Iowa passed away at Israel Family Hospice House on July 26, 2017. A gathering of friends and family, will be, 4-6:00 p.m. followed by a short service at 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2017 at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way in Ames. A celebration to follow will be announced proceeding the gathering Friday night.
Kathy was born the daughter of Denzil and Virginia Boyer on August 07, 1943 in Decatur, Illinois. Kathy graduated from Bradley High school in 1960. She married Raymond Mathre, and had two sons, Eric and Steve. Kathy owned and operated The Fox Lounge in Ames, Iowa for 27 years and The Fox Lounge II in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Kathy is survived by her sons, Eric (Shelly) Mathre, Steven (Jessica) Mathre, grandchildren, Ryan (Brittney) Mathre, Justin (Tanae) Rankin, Jessica (Alex) Christiansen, Payton Dobbs, Jaimon Mathre, great grandchildren, Braylee and Bella Mathre, Tyler Rankin, Josie Christiansen and brother Bob (Joyce) Boyer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dale Boyer, sister, Stella Wetzell, Husband Raymond Mathre and longtime friend Virgil Wilson.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice on Kathy's behalf.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremation.com
Tributes
"I met Kathy at respiratory therapy and we had a common interest in reading. I enjoyed meeting her for breakfasts where we talked over common health issues. I was so sorry to not be able to attend her service. She was a good friend and will be greatly missed. Sallie Harestad "
"We have a lot of great memories of Kathy. Every time we saw her she welcomed us with open arms. She was a great supporter of ABATE of Iowa. We held numerous meetings and events at the Fox. Her employees loved her. She was generous and always happy to see you. She will be missed by many. Simply a wonderful woman to be around. "
"We have a lot of great memories of Kathy. Every time we saw her she welcomed us with open arms. She was a great supporter of ABATE of Iowa. We held numerous meetings and events at the Fox. Her employees loved her. She was generous and always happy to see you. She will be missed by many. Simply a wonderful woman to be around. "
"My deepest apologies to family and friends of Kathy. It was just a couple weeks ago she came through the drive thru of my work with her son and family and got ice cream. I was very excited to see her and to see she was out and about. Kathy was truly one of a kind. She was there for me more times than I could count. If she couldn't help me in a situation she would always find someone that could. I've really missed the fox lounge. Which I was just thinking about this past weekend. Kathy treated her employees like her own family and her customers as if they were just one big happy family. Each one having their own special place in her heart. Through her I met a great deal of people that mean a lot to me still today and hope to keep in touch with. Kathy was someone very special to me and i will miss her dearly. I hope that everyone that knew Kathy takes one special thing they learned from her and teach another along the way. I will miss you lots. Rest in peace Kathy, and say hey to the gang."
"My sincere condolences to the family. Kathy was an amazing woman that I thoroughly enjoyed working with and for many years at The Fox Lounge. I cannot say enough about how special she was to me. No boss will ever hold a candle to her and the way she treated her staff. Cheers to Kathy! May her memory live on in our hearts forever. "